Comparison of meningococcal outer membrane protein vaccines solubilized with detergent or C polysaccharide.

Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) were isolated from meningococcal strain H44/76 (B:15:P1.16) by detergent extraction of bacteria. A final product containing class 1 (P1.16), 3(15), 4 OMPs and 5% (w/w) lipooligosaccharide was obtained. Two experimental vaccines were prepared: OMP-detergent and OMP-C polysaccharide. The OMP-detergent vaccine tended to show a better bactericidal: ELISA ratio for the antibodies induced as compared to the OMP-C polysaccharide vaccine. The vaccine induced bactericidal antibodies appeared for the greater part to be directed against the class 1 OMP (P1.16). By comparison of cultures grown in Mueller Hinton Broth with and without 0.25% (w/v) glucose, it was found that monoclonal antibodies against the serotype OMP (class 2 or 3) were not bactericidal against meningococci grown in MHB without glucose. Antibodies against class 1 OMP and lipooligosaccharide were not influenced by this. A new major outer membrane protein (appr. 40 kd) is described that may function as a cation-specific porin.